What plan is best?

[lajones81]

How do you figure out which plan is best for you? Do you do WW, WW-core, South Beach, etc? I'm not even sure where to begin! Can anyone give me advice on how they decided what program is right for them? I'm looking to lose about 50 lbs. and am in no rush. I want this to be for good.

 

[newholidayx2]

My brother had a massive heart attack & triple bypass surgery May 03. That gave me the incentive to loose 45lbs. I wanted a lowfat, low sodium diet so I knew Atkins wasnt right for me.
I use fitday.com to keep track of my calories in/calories out.

 

[lajones81]

My brother had a massive heart attack & triple bypass surgery May 03. That gave me the incentive to loose 45lbs. I wanted a lowfat, low sodium diet so I knew Atkins wasnt right for me.
I use fitday.com to keep track of my calories in/calories out.

What a good incentive. My situation is similar. The aide working in my classroom has just entered hospice and is expected to live about 2 more weeks. I would love to eventually run the Chicago Marathon or another race in her memory and in honor of my dad - a cancer survivor.

Can I ask how many calories you take in each day? Also, where do you get your recipes, etc? Thanks for your help.

 

[r3ngels]

I am doing WW core- I feel that is the best of both plans.

I am eating healthier because everything on the core list are healthy foods, but you still get the 25 (? I use 25 but it may be 35 I can't remember ?) flex points to use for the week. You are eating almost the same foods as south beach but you get that add points to keep it "real".

I couldn't do South Beach I can't give up chocolate and I did flex pts for years and I just got tired of counting points and I am eating better. If an apple is 2 points and pack of mini M&M's is 2 points. I know what I will pick. (again with the choc thing... My DD's need to hide their easter basket )

Good Luck

BTW, I lost 50 lbs between the flex and core so it is doable and I don't feel I have given up anything.

 

[disnutt]

I'm doing WW Core and agree with r3ngles. I like that it focuses on healthy, less processed foods. My cravings aren't as bad as they used to be. I'm learning to be happy with smaller portions even with sweets/desserts.

 

[rcyannacci]

I'm trying to do a lifestyle change as well. The pounds are coming off slowly, but I'm feeling great and learning to love the new way I'm eating.

I've never had the patience to count calories or carbs, so what I decided to do was just cut refined sugar and processed foods. I try to do most of my carbs in whole grains, and we eat a lot of fresh fruits, veggies, and protein.

Actually, my DH and I have never eaten better! The one big challenge has been planning- can't rely on the pantry as much as we used to. Again, the results have not been rapid, but I know that we are slowly making progress.

 

[lajones81]

Thank you everyone for your great advice! When I get back from Disney next week (I know, I know I should start now, but I want to enjoy my vacation!), I'm gonna get right to work! I appreciate your assistance...I want this to be for good and get healthy, again!

 

[antmaril]

I was watching Good Morning America this morning and Jorge Cruise was on with his latest plan. It's called the 3-Hour Diet and it makes a lot of sense to me. I am going to try it. The diet is also featured in this month's "First" magazine.

The gist of this diet is to eat breakfast within one hour of rising. Three hours later have a snack like yogurt. Three hours later have lunch. Three hours after lunch have another snack. Three hours later eat a sensible dinner and after dinner have a small treat, like a piece of chocolate. Stop eating three hours before bedtime. The theory is to keep your metabolism up and you are never more than three hours from having something to eat.

I am going to buy the book. This may be something I can actually do.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Good luck picking what will work best for you. You may find that you will have to experiment a bit to see what fits best. Remember healthy eating choices over the four-letter-d-word and hopefully that will help some. I keep trying to tell myself that healthy eating choices are what I need.

That 3-hour eating sounds interesting. Actually if it is smaller portions and healthy choices I'm thinking it is like many recommended plans. Smaller portions more frequently.
Good luck to all of us trying to make the choices that work for us. We can do it. Don't forget to make sure you get in a proper amount of water and activity.

Keep on keepin' on.

 

[newholidayx2]

When I first lost the weight doc told me not to go below 1200 calories per day.
Now that Im maintaining I find that 2100 calories works best for me
I added gradually

 

[plutosmyfav]

I've tried just about everything. One thing I had never tried was WW. I finally decided to join the WW at Work program last September and its been my best success of 20+ years dieting! For me, the weekly meetings (support, affirmations) and WI (accountability) is key to my long-term success.

I really like that 3 hour theory. I recently started dividing my food between Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack and it seems to really help me feel even energy throughout the day. My normal eating pattern is to "save" my points for the end of the day-- not a good plan!